“Wow - you actually know all these farms! You really are impacting their lives and doing something different here...”

Christopher Allnutt, Chef-Buyer at Pembroke College & OxFarmToFork member

Following an incredibly strong start to the year for OxFarmToFork we thought it was time we celebrate our successes. Here is a reminder of what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and some of our top wins from the past year. 

What does OxFarmToFork do?
OxFarmToFork is a collaborative, non-profit project led by Good Food Oxfordshire that connects institutions with local farmers and producers through a short, fair, zero-emissions supply chain – built on collaboration, not profit. It addresses the systemic imbalances of the current food system, ensuring fair compensation for farmers, reducing environmental impact, and fostering a more resilient local food economy.

How does OxFarmToFork do this? 
By leveraging the Tream Marketplace platform, OxFarmToFork enables transparent, ethical, and low-carbon procurement that supports local biodiversity and the regional economy. It was launched as a small WhatsApp group by Good Food Oxfordshire in the summer of 2023.

SALES, FOOD MILES & COMMUNITY VALUE: the whole picture by numbers 

Since its inception in 2023:

Sales growth from 2023-4: £30,000 - £110,000

2025 sales projections: £180,000 

Number of food miles saved: over 2.8 million (a carbon saving of approximately 228 tonnes of CO2)

Investment into local producers’ infrastructure (see below for details): £32,000

Total local transactions generated: £350,000

Approximate additional economic activity generated by every £1 spent locally: £1.50 - 2.50

Why does spending locally generate more ‘sticky money’?
This is because the money stays and is re-spent in the community, rather than ‘leaking’ out to non-local corporations or suppliers. Therefore, the direct transactions we have generated for our local producers (nearly £350,000) in fact have a much wider impact due to the local multiplier effect. By circulating money within our community, this figure is estimated to have generated an additional £175,000 to £525,000 in economic activity. 

PRODUCERS, MEMBERS & LOCAL LIVELIHOODS

"We’ve been out in the fields today harvesting fresh organic carrots for the Oxford Colleges. Proud to be part of the OxFarmToFork scheme, keeping it local and fresh from our soil to their tables.”
Jamie Carr, Blacklands Organics founder & OxFarmToFork producer

The OxFarmToFork project’s success is underpinned by its commitment to agroecological farming practices, which enhances biodiversity and soil health, and its focus on creating robust community partnerships. The initiative’s approach not only supports local livelihoods but also contributes to a more sustainable and ethical food system for the wider community.

Number of Oxford College members signed up: 20

Number of non-college members who joined in 2026: 1

Total amount invested in producers’ infrastructure through buyer joining fees in 2025: £32,000  

This includes:

∗ 1 caterpillar tunnel purchased to enable Blacklands Organics to protect crops from harsh weather 
∗ 1 root washer purchased to reduce manual washing time by Blacklands Organics team
∗ 1 caterpillar polytunnel purchased for Sandy Lane Farm to extend their growing season for tomatoes, peppers and aubergines
∗ 2 sets of bamboo canes, plus twine, seeds, crop protection netting, metal hoops and compost to enable Oxford City Farm to grow more beans and tomatoes, and compost lettuce
∗ 1 polytunnel purchased for Traditional Garden Growers to extend the growing season
∗ 1 polytunnel purchased for Worthy Earth to extend their growing season and grow more salad leaves
∗ 1 40-inch container purchased to enable Smart Greens to grow more microgreens

Total generated in sales for local producers over during April - September 2025 alone: £100,000  

Estimated projected total: £180,000

The OxFarmToFork initiative is a critical market for emerging operations, providing a more stable and fairer price for our sellers' produce.

For example:

Representation of total sales for Traditional Garden Growers: 60%

Number of college chefs, bursars, and food system innovators attending the OxFarmToFork Showcase in December 2025 (generously supported by Rebel Restoration) to celebrate a year of radical transformation in local procurement: 100

Producers featured at the Showcase: 18

(these were Blacklands Organics, Tolhurst Organics, Worthy Earth, Proof Social Bakehouse, Smart Greens, Traditional Garden Growers, Tumblebug Mushrooms, Sandy Lane Farm, Adeline Farm, Swinbrook Farm, Hodmedod’s, Close Farm, Oxford City Farm, Willowbrook Farm, Nettlebed Creamery, The Missing Bean, Twist Teas & Project BAGH)

We’re so thankful to everyone who has helped us grow and been part of these achievements, and we look forward to connecting more growers, introducing more members, saving more food miles, and selling more locally produced good food throughout 2026.

Together, we are building a stronger and more sustainable food system for Oxfordshire and beyond.

--- Be Part of Oxfordshire’s Food Revolution ---
Will your organisation be part of rebuilding a fairer, more sustainable food system? Get in touch today to help build a truly sustainable food system for Oxfordshire and beyond: oxfarmtofork@gfo.org.uk
Want to learn even more? Explore our FAQs page, Producer Map, and How It Works for more information.